How can I treasure the uniqueness of who I am and what I have to share with the world.
Great question.
I am very warm and caring. As a teacher and as a a person I make a difference by letting others know that I care and that I am there for them. I also take the time to listen.
I wish I was more efficient and I work on being more organized, but the heartfelt part of me is what comes naturally and effortlessly. It is what I am all about. Once I put an end to comparing myself to others and al...
How can I treasure the uniqueness of who I am and what I have to share with the world.
Great question.
I am very warm and caring. As a teacher and as a a person I make a difference by letting others know that I care and that I am there for them. I also take the time to listen.
I wish I was more efficient and I work on being more organized, but the heartfelt part of me is what comes naturally and effortlessly. It is what I am all about. Once I put an end to comparing myself to others and allowing myself to feel less than, I will have the space to fully appreciate who I am. I am about love, connecting and helping.
Hi Mary, Thanks for sharing your clear awareness and treasuring of your warmth, caring and all the ways you express that. Also, your acceptance of parts which are less natural, and saying no to comparison. That makes so much sense, to allow your beauty the space to shine through. And so it does! Warmly, KC
Thank you, Palm. Being kind and caring is the easy part. What I love most about teaching is seeing the goodness in the children and in turn being good to them.
Mary
Perhaps by valuing who I am and what I bring to the world and treating myself and treasures with kindness, dignity and respect. From there, discerning how and where best to share these gifts, and having the courage and support to do so. Also setting boundaries where my uniqueness is not valued or understood. A work in progress for sure.
I so agree with this KC. Setting boundaries where my uniqueness is not valued and understood. I haven’t thought much about this, but you are so right. Of course those with different values will not understand or value my strengths. These are not the people that I should be spending extra time with. – to thine own self be true.
This is an area I have been working on but still have far to go.
I guess I’d have to say that one of the most effective ways for me to learn to treasure my uniqueness and what I have to share is to work on my hearing. For so long, I have discounted compliments, sort of shoving them aside lest I become prideful by accepting them. At times, I've been so adroit at pushing the good stuff away that I have not even had the compliment or appreciation register!
In truth, these compliments and appr...
This is an area I have been working on but still have far to go.
I guess I’d have to say that one of the most effective ways for me to learn to treasure my uniqueness and what I have to share is to work on my hearing. For so long, I have discounted compliments, sort of shoving them aside lest I become prideful by accepting them. At times, I’ve been so adroit at pushing the good stuff away that I have not even had the compliment or appreciation register!
In truth, these compliments and appreciation for who I am and what I give, hard as they are for me to accept sometimes, function as guideposts for me. They help me see who I really am and encourage me to become even more the person I was created to be.
Oh, Aine, I think you have mentioned something really important! How much of ourselves do we ignore or take for granted to the point that we do not acknowledge our personal qualities and our gifts, and look to find ways to share them. Listening to others, and getting to know ourselves, looking for our gifts, listening for our gifts, we find so much that we have been given to feel grateful for and to share -- we discover ourselves as so much larger than we thought. I shall spend today listening...
Oh, Aine, I think you have mentioned something really important! How much of ourselves do we ignore or take for granted to the point that we do not acknowledge our personal qualities and our gifts, and look to find ways to share them. Listening to others, and getting to know ourselves, looking for our gifts, listening for our gifts, we find so much that we have been given to feel grateful for and to share — we discover ourselves as so much larger than we thought. I shall spend today listening to myself and others to discover my gifts!
Beautiful Aine. I too tend to whisk away compliments, rather than take them in as positive reflections of our gifts in the world. I wish you much fruitful listening, hearing and honouring of your unique beauty and the guideposts reflected back day to day! …
As HENRY DAVID THOREAU says in today’s quote:
Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.
It’s important to remember to not lose sight of where the I Am is. Awareness is the key and I wish to share it with everyone in any way that is an open door.
Perhaps I could start to name my uniqueness positively to me, and affirm this has been a gift of my Creation and life experience. I have focused on my illness and pain (necessarily) over a few years, adapting and learning how to live with chronic situations. So moving beyond that while still attending the realities, adding possibilities and invitations into the mix of my thought processes, and then coming to put them all together somehow - maybe this will reveal the uniqueness and the ways to br...
Perhaps I could start to name my uniqueness positively to me, and affirm this has been a gift of my Creation and life experience. I have focused on my illness and pain (necessarily) over a few years, adapting and learning how to live with chronic situations. So moving beyond that while still attending the realities, adding possibilities and invitations into the mix of my thought processes, and then coming to put them all together somehow – maybe this will reveal the uniqueness and the ways to bring into the world. Certainly a work in progress.
Your articulate and compassionate response makes me (once again) realize how incredibly blessed I am to live pain-free. So many people do not, and their courage is amazing. Thank you.
What you have shared of your journey here so far, Pilgrim, has been a gift. I think sometimes when we come from a bent of ministering to others we too easily overlook our uniqueness, those special gifts and talents that were given not only to share with others but also for our own enjoyment and benefit. It’s like we think there is a virtue in not being special when, in truth, God is looking at us with love saying, “But I MADE you special! On purpose! And I think you are pretty awesome.”
Ahhhh! I think your poem speaks beautifully to the Truth that — like the buds “so crisp and distinct” — each and every one of us is unique. Thank you for sharing your gift.
I think for me really valuing my sensitivity, making time for writing and creating music, and connecting more with others to support each other in creative projects are all key. And I can also speak lovingly with my inner child, and remind him of this myself.
Absolutely! It helps to find a supportive tribe to encourage us along our creative pathway. That helps us to gain momentum and keep the creative stream clean and flowing.
How can I treasure the uniqueness of who I am and what I have to share with the world?
By first of all making it a priority to understand what it means to be a Human Being, mean here, to be able to Self- consciously say. “”I AM I” and therefore “I AM”” That is an indication of the Divine Gift of “Self Consciousness” every human being has. “Treasuring” “Uniqueness” “sharing” have powers emanating out of the primary Self-awareness of that, “I AM I”
I have been thinking and hearing about this lately as the way to change the world, because it happens from the inside out, not the other way around, when we show our authentic, unique selves to the world.
The thought that my uniqueness can ultimately be the most effective way to be of help in this troubled world makes me overcome worries of self-importance (to use Kevin's words), treasure this uniqueness and see sharing it as a duty. In other words, it helps me to show up, which is not always e...
I have been thinking and hearing about this lately as the way to change the world, because it happens from the inside out, not the other way around, when we show our authentic, unique selves to the world.
The thought that my uniqueness can ultimately be the most effective way to be of help in this troubled world makes me overcome worries of self-importance (to use Kevin’s words), treasure this uniqueness and see sharing it as a duty. In other words, it helps me to show up, which is not always easy.
Palm,
Lovely! Sowing up is indeed challenging at times. I have actually run into this very issue today when I showed up. I found after reflection, that it’s best to use three aspects of true freedom:
Nonresistance, nonjudgment, and Nonattachment as a pint of reference. This is the practice which I hope to develop.
Nonresistance, nonjudgement and nonattachment. Yes.
A powerful trio!
I am writing them in my journal, and making a note to remind me of these at school. Thank you.
Mary
Practicing compassion towards myself honours and treasures the uniqueness of who I am. This compassion translates into being kind to, and taking good care of, my physical, mental and spiritual being. It is an ever evolving practice to which daily attention can be a challenge. But I am committed, so that even when I stray, my commitment brings me back and moves me forward by baby steps.
Practicing compassion also humbles me to be who I am -as is. In that way, I honour and treasure what I hav...
Practicing compassion towards myself honours and treasures the uniqueness of who I am. This compassion translates into being kind to, and taking good care of, my physical, mental and spiritual being. It is an ever evolving practice to which daily attention can be a challenge. But I am committed, so that even when I stray, my commitment brings me back and moves me forward by baby steps.
Practicing compassion also humbles me to be who I am -as is. In that way, I honour and treasure what I have to share with the world.
How, indeed? This is still very much a work in progress, as I truly lost myself during a long period of illness. There is a necessary reinvention and in this time I do believe I will find a way of living my life that is more authentic than before.
How to treasure and share? To become aware of and to do more and more of what I love. And to fiercely resist self-comparison with others. There is a start.
I understand, oh, I understand! It is hard for those who have not been through this to realize how you go into it one person and come out another.
I am there, too, in this process of the recreation of Me. But is it really a recreation or rather the discovery of what was always there but under too many layers to express? Now that the layers have been stripped aside, the beauty underneath will have a chance to shine. :D
I find that a lot of self-comparison dropped away naturally, without m...
I understand, oh, I understand! It is hard for those who have not been through this to realize how you go into it one person and come out another.
I am there, too, in this process of the recreation of Me. But is it really a recreation or rather the discovery of what was always there but under too many layers to express? Now that the layers have been stripped aside, the beauty underneath will have a chance to shine.
I find that a lot of self-comparison dropped away naturally, without my knowing. When you have been struggling to stay alive, somehow all that other stuff that mattered so much just doesn’t add up to being worth fussing about anymore.
part of the answer to this question is to not compare w others. another part is to keep understanding and actually believing there is no one like me. lastly, I need to simultaneously understand and believe that we are all truly connected. while each of us are unique, I must stay mindful that what I do affects everyone as a collective.
As I read today’s question I feel the need to soften or tailor the question itself to avoid any sense of self-importance or aggrandizement. I know that was certainly not in the minds and hearts of the folks at Gratefulness in offering it, but the question as it stands alone could “sound” that way, at least in my mind.
I treasure how all of the people in my life, those I see personally while living through a day and online in this space, are truly whole and unique in numerous ways. That�...
As I read today’s question I feel the need to soften or tailor the question itself to avoid any sense of self-importance or aggrandizement. I know that was certainly not in the minds and hearts of the folks at Gratefulness in offering it, but the question as it stands alone could “sound” that way, at least in my mind.
I treasure how all of the people in my life, those I see personally while living through a day and online in this space, are truly whole and unique in numerous ways. That’s what makes interacting with one another so enjoyable. And I know too that who I am and what I stand for as an individual, spiritually, intellectually and emotionally, warts and all, comprise my very being. And this I honor and value as my own gift of personhood. In short, it is all I have and all I will ever have, so why not share it with others as way opens? Thus far in my life, the vehicles that carry the essence of who and what I am, I believe, are shared through my words, photography and when the Spirit calls me to provide care to people in my life.
– Kevin
I am learning photography and enjoy taking photos of flowers. As I develop this skill and talent, my style is indeed unique as I edit my photos to look like paintings and I think they are are quite artistic. I would like to find a way to share my flower photo/art expressions with others.
For those (like myself) who are artistic and creative, this is 'who I am' and what can be shared and enjoyed by other people.
This is a very timely question as I have been pondering and searching for a w...
I am learning photography and enjoy taking photos of flowers. As I develop this skill and talent, my style is indeed unique as I edit my photos to look like paintings and I think they are are quite artistic. I would like to find a way to share my flower photo/art expressions with others.
For those (like myself) who are artistic and creative, this is ‘who I am’ and what can be shared and enjoyed by other people.
This is a very timely question as I have been pondering and searching for a way to share my nature visual art with others. Perhaps it is time to pray and meditate to allow God, the Creator, to show me the way in which I can share my unique artistic flower art with others.
Try a local gallery. A friend of mine here turned back to her photography as a way of working through her grief over losing her mother to cancer. Eventually, this led to her starting a local gallery and gathering place where she shares her art and that of others.
How can I treasure the uniqueness of who I am and what I have to share with the world.
Great question.
I am very warm and caring. As a teacher and as a a person I make a difference by letting others know that I care and that I am there for them. I also take the time to listen.
I wish I was more efficient and I work on being more organized, but the heartfelt part of me is what comes naturally and effortlessly. It is what I am all about. Once I put an end to comparing myself to others and al...
How can I treasure the uniqueness of who I am and what I have to share with the world.
Great question.
I am very warm and caring. As a teacher and as a a person I make a difference by letting others know that I care and that I am there for them. I also take the time to listen.
I wish I was more efficient and I work on being more organized, but the heartfelt part of me is what comes naturally and effortlessly. It is what I am all about. Once I put an end to comparing myself to others and allowing myself to feel less than, I will have the space to fully appreciate who I am. I am about love, connecting and helping.
Hi Mary, Thanks for sharing your clear awareness and treasuring of your warmth, caring and all the ways you express that. Also, your acceptance of parts which are less natural, and saying no to comparison. That makes so much sense, to allow your beauty the space to shine through. And so it does! Warmly, KC
Thank you, KC. I appreciate your response so much.
Mary
Mary, your “soft skill” is what is desperately needed from teachers, in my view, at least in this part of the world
Thank you, Palm. Being kind and caring is the easy part. What I love most about teaching is seeing the goodness in the children and in turn being good to them.
Mary
Perhaps by valuing who I am and what I bring to the world and treating myself and treasures with kindness, dignity and respect. From there, discerning how and where best to share these gifts, and having the courage and support to do so. Also setting boundaries where my uniqueness is not valued or understood. A work in progress for sure.
I so agree with this KC. Setting boundaries where my uniqueness is not valued and understood. I haven’t thought much about this, but you are so right. Of course those with different values will not understand or value my strengths. These are not the people that I should be spending extra time with. – to thine own self be true.
Absolutely !
????
Agreed!
????
This is an area I have been working on but still have far to go.
I guess I’d have to say that one of the most effective ways for me to learn to treasure my uniqueness and what I have to share is to work on my hearing. For so long, I have discounted compliments, sort of shoving them aside lest I become prideful by accepting them. At times, I've been so adroit at pushing the good stuff away that I have not even had the compliment or appreciation register!
In truth, these compliments and appr...
This is an area I have been working on but still have far to go.
I guess I’d have to say that one of the most effective ways for me to learn to treasure my uniqueness and what I have to share is to work on my hearing. For so long, I have discounted compliments, sort of shoving them aside lest I become prideful by accepting them. At times, I’ve been so adroit at pushing the good stuff away that I have not even had the compliment or appreciation register!
In truth, these compliments and appreciation for who I am and what I give, hard as they are for me to accept sometimes, function as guideposts for me. They help me see who I really am and encourage me to become even more the person I was created to be.
Oh, Aine, I think you have mentioned something really important! How much of ourselves do we ignore or take for granted to the point that we do not acknowledge our personal qualities and our gifts, and look to find ways to share them. Listening to others, and getting to know ourselves, looking for our gifts, listening for our gifts, we find so much that we have been given to feel grateful for and to share -- we discover ourselves as so much larger than we thought. I shall spend today listening...
Oh, Aine, I think you have mentioned something really important! How much of ourselves do we ignore or take for granted to the point that we do not acknowledge our personal qualities and our gifts, and look to find ways to share them. Listening to others, and getting to know ourselves, looking for our gifts, listening for our gifts, we find so much that we have been given to feel grateful for and to share — we discover ourselves as so much larger than we thought. I shall spend today listening to myself and others to discover my gifts!
Beautiful Aine. I too tend to whisk away compliments, rather than take them in as positive reflections of our gifts in the world. I wish you much fruitful listening, hearing and honouring of your unique beauty and the guideposts reflected back day to day! …
As HENRY DAVID THOREAU says in today’s quote:
Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.
It’s important to remember to not lose sight of where the I Am is. Awareness is the key and I wish to share it with everyone in any way that is an open door.
Perhaps I could start to name my uniqueness positively to me, and affirm this has been a gift of my Creation and life experience. I have focused on my illness and pain (necessarily) over a few years, adapting and learning how to live with chronic situations. So moving beyond that while still attending the realities, adding possibilities and invitations into the mix of my thought processes, and then coming to put them all together somehow - maybe this will reveal the uniqueness and the ways to br...
Perhaps I could start to name my uniqueness positively to me, and affirm this has been a gift of my Creation and life experience. I have focused on my illness and pain (necessarily) over a few years, adapting and learning how to live with chronic situations. So moving beyond that while still attending the realities, adding possibilities and invitations into the mix of my thought processes, and then coming to put them all together somehow – maybe this will reveal the uniqueness and the ways to bring into the world. Certainly a work in progress.
Pilgrim, you already contribute to the world with your wisdom and kindness on this website.
Much love to you,
Mary
Your articulate and compassionate response makes me (once again) realize how incredibly blessed I am to live pain-free. So many people do not, and their courage is amazing. Thank you.
What you have shared of your journey here so far, Pilgrim, has been a gift. I think sometimes when we come from a bent of ministering to others we too easily overlook our uniqueness, those special gifts and talents that were given not only to share with others but also for our own enjoyment and benefit. It’s like we think there is a virtue in not being special when, in truth, God is looking at us with love saying, “But I MADE you special! On purpose! And I think you are pretty awesome.”
I hope and trust I have done so through my poetry.
I don't write much these days, but I would like to share a poem I wrote a few weeks ago. Warm thoughts to all on this lovely website!
On 2nd Street NE, Minneapolis
It’s that brief season when trees
are still bare-limbed but whispering green
for the buds clinging to nude branches.
I walk through my neighborhood,
a woman of nearly sixty
with no fresh wisdom to share,
but I must tell you that from a distance
this young tr...
I hope and trust I have done so through my poetry.
I don’t write much these days, but I would like to share a poem I wrote a few weeks ago. Warm thoughts to all on this lovely website!
On 2nd Street NE, Minneapolis
It’s that brief season when trees
are still bare-limbed but whispering green
for the buds clinging to nude branches.
I walk through my neighborhood,
a woman of nearly sixty
with no fresh wisdom to share,
but I must tell you that from a distance
this young tree might appear
a cloud of light green
while up close, each bud is so crisp and distinct
I could count the number of them
on every branch.
Wow! I lived there before! 2nd street! Amazing small world! I really enjoyed your poem. Thank you, it brings back memories.
Beautiful, Francine Marie. Thank you.
Ahhhh! I think your poem speaks beautifully to the Truth that — like the buds “so crisp and distinct” — each and every one of us is unique. Thank you for sharing your gift.
Thank you, sea, for reading my poem.
I think for me really valuing my sensitivity, making time for writing and creating music, and connecting more with others to support each other in creative projects are all key. And I can also speak lovingly with my inner child, and remind him of this myself.
Absolutely! It helps to find a supportive tribe to encourage us along our creative pathway. That helps us to gain momentum and keep the creative stream clean and flowing.
How can I treasure the uniqueness of who I am and what I have to share with the world?
By first of all making it a priority to understand what it means to be a Human Being, mean here, to be able to Self- consciously say. “”I AM I” and therefore “I AM”” That is an indication of the Divine Gift of “Self Consciousness” every human being has. “Treasuring” “Uniqueness” “sharing” have powers emanating out of the primary Self-awareness of that, “I AM I”
I have been thinking and hearing about this lately as the way to change the world, because it happens from the inside out, not the other way around, when we show our authentic, unique selves to the world.
The thought that my uniqueness can ultimately be the most effective way to be of help in this troubled world makes me overcome worries of self-importance (to use Kevin's words), treasure this uniqueness and see sharing it as a duty. In other words, it helps me to show up, which is not always e...
I have been thinking and hearing about this lately as the way to change the world, because it happens from the inside out, not the other way around, when we show our authentic, unique selves to the world.
The thought that my uniqueness can ultimately be the most effective way to be of help in this troubled world makes me overcome worries of self-importance (to use Kevin’s words), treasure this uniqueness and see sharing it as a duty. In other words, it helps me to show up, which is not always easy.
Palm,
Lovely! Sowing up is indeed challenging at times. I have actually run into this very issue today when I showed up. I found after reflection, that it’s best to use three aspects of true freedom:
Nonresistance, nonjudgment, and Nonattachment as a pint of reference. This is the practice which I hope to develop.
Thank you Antoinette, and I will also keep in mind your pillars of freedom !
Nonresistance, nonjudgement and nonattachment. Yes.
A powerful trio!
I am writing them in my journal, and making a note to remind me of these at school. Thank you.
Mary
Amen
By being aware in each moment and sending forth grace.
Deb,
Lovely.
by treasuring diversity, and respecting myself.
Practicing compassion towards myself honours and treasures the uniqueness of who I am. This compassion translates into being kind to, and taking good care of, my physical, mental and spiritual being. It is an ever evolving practice to which daily attention can be a challenge. But I am committed, so that even when I stray, my commitment brings me back and moves me forward by baby steps.
Practicing compassion also humbles me to be who I am -as is. In that way, I honour and treasure what I hav...
Practicing compassion towards myself honours and treasures the uniqueness of who I am. This compassion translates into being kind to, and taking good care of, my physical, mental and spiritual being. It is an ever evolving practice to which daily attention can be a challenge. But I am committed, so that even when I stray, my commitment brings me back and moves me forward by baby steps.
Practicing compassion also humbles me to be who I am -as is. In that way, I honour and treasure what I have to share with the world.
How, indeed? This is still very much a work in progress, as I truly lost myself during a long period of illness. There is a necessary reinvention and in this time I do believe I will find a way of living my life that is more authentic than before.
How to treasure and share? To become aware of and to do more and more of what I love. And to fiercely resist self-comparison with others. There is a start.
I understand, oh, I understand! It is hard for those who have not been through this to realize how you go into it one person and come out another.
I am there, too, in this process of the recreation of Me. But is it really a recreation or rather the discovery of what was always there but under too many layers to express? Now that the layers have been stripped aside, the beauty underneath will have a chance to shine. :D
I find that a lot of self-comparison dropped away naturally, without m...
I understand, oh, I understand! It is hard for those who have not been through this to realize how you go into it one person and come out another.
I am there, too, in this process of the recreation of Me. But is it really a recreation or rather the discovery of what was always there but under too many layers to express? Now that the layers have been stripped aside, the beauty underneath will have a chance to shine.
I find that a lot of self-comparison dropped away naturally, without my knowing. When you have been struggling to stay alive, somehow all that other stuff that mattered so much just doesn’t add up to being worth fussing about anymore.
part of the answer to this question is to not compare w others. another part is to keep understanding and actually believing there is no one like me. lastly, I need to simultaneously understand and believe that we are all truly connected. while each of us are unique, I must stay mindful that what I do affects everyone as a collective.
To find my place in the One.
As I read today’s question I feel the need to soften or tailor the question itself to avoid any sense of self-importance or aggrandizement. I know that was certainly not in the minds and hearts of the folks at Gratefulness in offering it, but the question as it stands alone could “sound” that way, at least in my mind.
I treasure how all of the people in my life, those I see personally while living through a day and online in this space, are truly whole and unique in numerous ways. That�...
As I read today’s question I feel the need to soften or tailor the question itself to avoid any sense of self-importance or aggrandizement. I know that was certainly not in the minds and hearts of the folks at Gratefulness in offering it, but the question as it stands alone could “sound” that way, at least in my mind.
I treasure how all of the people in my life, those I see personally while living through a day and online in this space, are truly whole and unique in numerous ways. That’s what makes interacting with one another so enjoyable. And I know too that who I am and what I stand for as an individual, spiritually, intellectually and emotionally, warts and all, comprise my very being. And this I honor and value as my own gift of personhood. In short, it is all I have and all I will ever have, so why not share it with others as way opens? Thus far in my life, the vehicles that carry the essence of who and what I am, I believe, are shared through my words, photography and when the Spirit calls me to provide care to people in my life.
– Kevin
In this sharing, Kevin, your goodness and wisdom come shining through.
Mary
Amen, Kevin!
You’re very kind, Mary. Thank you.
I am learning photography and enjoy taking photos of flowers. As I develop this skill and talent, my style is indeed unique as I edit my photos to look like paintings and I think they are are quite artistic. I would like to find a way to share my flower photo/art expressions with others.
For those (like myself) who are artistic and creative, this is 'who I am' and what can be shared and enjoyed by other people.
This is a very timely question as I have been pondering and searching for a w...
I am learning photography and enjoy taking photos of flowers. As I develop this skill and talent, my style is indeed unique as I edit my photos to look like paintings and I think they are are quite artistic. I would like to find a way to share my flower photo/art expressions with others.
For those (like myself) who are artistic and creative, this is ‘who I am’ and what can be shared and enjoyed by other people.
This is a very timely question as I have been pondering and searching for a way to share my nature visual art with others. Perhaps it is time to pray and meditate to allow God, the Creator, to show me the way in which I can share my unique artistic flower art with others.
Try a local gallery. A friend of mine here turned back to her photography as a way of working through her grief over losing her mother to cancer. Eventually, this led to her starting a local gallery and gathering place where she shares her art and that of others.
My Private Gratitude Journal
Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal
Get Started